Tottenham ride their luck with Jenas late show

A last-minute equaliser from Jermaine Jenas shattered what Arsenal had thought to be their first victory in the post-David Dein era. Quite simply, they were devastated, having dominated the match and outplayed Tottenham into the final minutes. 'It feels like a defeat,' said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. 'I don't know what they created apart from the goals. In the second half we should have had five.'

As Tottenham scored the equaliser, Wenger leapt up in frustration. He had not shown it for most of the match, but the past week had surely been a strain on the Frenchman, the departure of Dein raising questions over the stability of the club. The Arsenal manager praised his team's spirit in the context of affairs, but had it felt different in the Arsenal dressing room without Dein? One thing is sure: the future will be. 'We always did the job together,' said Wenger of his former vice-chairman. 'And I'm now doing it alone. I always left the ugly part to David.'

In the opposition corner there was a grin. 'They messed up,' said Tottenham head coach Martin Jol. 'Or do you have a different word for that in England?'

But then Jol could afford to feel pleased after his side stole a point from their fierce rivals. 'It wasn't a lucky goal for Jenas,' he said, but the truth was that his team had struggled to create chances to cement their initial lead.

For much of the build-up to this match, the shares-and-takeovers pantomime had dominated proceedings. But in the belly of White Hart Lane, the action on the pitch took centre stage and the fans sang all the old favourites, oblivious to any boardroom dramas.

In the first half Arsenal thought that they had scored early on when Fredrik Ljungberg's flick sent Emmanuel Adebayor through on goal, but the referee blew for offside. Instead, it was Tottenham who took the lead when Robbie Keane, unmarked at the far post, popped up to poach a free header past Jens Lehmann. The goal had come from a corner by Jenas that had to be retaken after a scuffle in the area. Michael Dawson leapt to flick the ball on and Keane was there to profit.

Arsenal had their chances, too. Adebayor, with his back to goal, fed Ljungberg with a fine pass, but the Sweden midfielder, struggling with a hamstring injury, fired over. The visiting team came close in the final minutes of the half as Emmanuel Eboue skipped down the right and shot against the inside of a post. Adebayor caught the rebound, but failed to control his effort.

It was the introduction of Cesc Fabregas, late in the first half, that changed the game for Wenger. Fabregas was now in charge of corners instead of Tomas Rosicky and the difference showed. After the break, the Spaniard's corner set up Kolo Toure to crash a header against a post and shortly after, Adebayor sent another looping past the goalkeeper on to the bar. Arsenal were growing in confidence and Tottenham had no answers.

When the equaliser came, it was well deserved. Fabregas' free-kick set up Toure lying in wait near the goalline, his shot rebounding in off Paul Robinson. The chances then came thick and fast and 14 minutes later, Arsenal had secured the lead.

Again it was Fabregas with the free-kick, Adebayor climbed high above Dawson and headed the ball past Robinson. The boy with the assist wheeled away with a huge grin on his face.

Tottenham seemed finished as Arsenal pressed harder. Dimitar Berbatov was off colour for Spurs and the introduction of Tom Huddlestone had done little to stabilise the midfield. Out of nowhere - or so it must have seemed to the Arsenal players - Tottenham bagged the equaliser. Steed Malbranque played a one-two with Jenas and the wiry midfielder's 20-yard shot hit home.

Arsenal had missed out on the chance to secure Champions League qualification and, perhaps more importantly, respond to speculation on how the new look of the board may affect them. 'We produced outstanding football,' said Wenger. 'Next season we will want to keep the core and spirit of the team.'

They will want to, but only time will tell if it is possible.

Man of the match: Cesc Fabregas

The diminutive midfielder's introduction in the 39th minute changed Arsenal's play. Despite recovering from a virus, he took control, making the basics, such as free-kicks and corners, count for his team. And just as well, with his free-kick setting up Arsenal's second goal.